Tom Leimkuhler

Tom Leimkuhler Becomes Partner at Supply Chain Management Firm CPC Consultants

Editor Company News

CPC Consultants, LLC, a Southern California-based business that has optimized supply chain management for businesses for the past quarter century, has announced the addition of automotive industry veteran Tom Leimkuhler as partner alongside founder Charles Popick. Together, this duo brings more than 70 years of combined experience to shippers and transportation providers alike, with a proven track record at CPC Consultants that has resulted in hundreds of millions of dollars in savings for many of the most renowned and trusted brands in the world.

Shipping freight by train

2023 Outlook by Transportation Mode

Charles Popick Shipping Costs Leave a Comment

What to Expect in the Coming Year? Forecasts show 2023 as an opportunity for Shippers to contract lower rates across the board. 2022 was a pivotal year seeing the end of hyper inflated consumer demand coupled with capacity shortages. Reduced transportation labor force due to covid, congested corridors and equipment shortages with lower service reliability were the norms in 2022.  …

FedEx UPS Rates

FedEx and UPS Announce 2023 Rate Increases

Charles Popick Shipping Costs Leave a Comment

Can the shipper manage through FedEx and UPS’ complex increases for 2023? UPS announced their 2023 rate increases which will be made effective January 2nd, 2023. The increases came two months after a FedEx announcement of rate increases. Nothing unusual here as both carriers have routinely announced increased rates and rolled out new surcharges /fees despite posting record earnings at …

Global Container Freight Index - Spot Rates

How Far Will Spot Rates Fall

Charles Popick Shipping Costs Leave a Comment

…and when should shippers consider contract rates? Spot Rates have fallen off the cliff! This time last year, the average cost per forty-foot container (FEU) moving Eastbound from China to Long Beach California cost more than $15,000 and there were additional fees to secure space on the vessel from competition. The capacity climate this time last year was extremely tight and combining that …

FedEx UPS Rates

FedEx and UPS Announce Complex 2021 Shipping Rate Increases

Charles Popick Newsletter, Shipping Costs

Can the shipper manage through these complex rate increases? UPS announced their 2021 rate increases which will be made effective in January of 2021. These UPS shipping rates increases came two months after a FedEx’s announcement of its upcoming  shipping rates increases. Nothing unusual here as both carriers have routinely announced increased shipping rates and rolled out new surcharges / …

Port Crane Containers

2021 Ocean Shipping Outlook

Charles Popick Shipping Costs

Port congestion improving, but post pandemic pricing pressure expected to continue into Q3 & Q4 Congestion at USA seaports is improving but is expected to endure into the summer and possibly through to the end of the year. Gene Seroka, Executive Director of Port of Los Angeles expects the backlog to be eliminated by end of May 2021 or early …

Air Freight Cargo

Air Cargo Capacity Increases

Charles Popick Newsletter

Shippers looking to divert from ocean freight exerts upward pricing pressure on air cargo Demand for shipping is rising as countries begin opening themselves back up to both domestic and international travel, and the world economy is starting to see a strong rebound from the devastating impact COVID-19 wreaked in 2020. Demand for shipping in 2021 is surging but ocean …

Port of Baltimore

Why Ocean Shipping Rates Are Spiking

Charles Popick Newsletter, Shipping Costs

What is effect of port congestion on contract pricing? Covid-19 has upended nearly every industry and international shipping is not immune. Congestion at US seaports resulting from demand exceeding the supply of port services is complicating the traditional contract signing season. Some shippers are opting to negotiate earlier than usual, some as early as January and February. The effect on …

Ocean Freight Carrier

7 Insider Tips to Help Businesses Ship Smarter

Charles Popick Newsletter

Smart shipping involves preparation, coordination, and accommodation The shipping industry continues to evolve away from the days when shippers called all the shots and carriers danced to their tunes. Today even shippers with high volumes, who used to throw their weight around, now need to adhere to some of the parameters set out by the freight carriers. In the shipping …